State of Long Term Care Series

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 1, 2011
Contact: Kristen Knapp, APR
(850) 701-3530 or kknapp@fhca.org

Millions of Floridians Impacted by Decisions Made During 2011 Legislature Will Need Long Term Care

Signature series sheds light on the complex world of long term care

TALLAHASSEE, FL - In advance of the 2011 legislative session, the Florida Health Care Association today launched an informational series on the State of Long Term Care to bring awareness to Florida’s long term care demographics, Medicaid reimbursement challenges, the economic impact of the profession and the steady improvements that have been made in quality care. Florida is the oldest state in the U.S. with over 4.4 million seniors and over half a million with Alzheimer’s or related dementias. By 2030, Florida’s population will grow by 5.1 million and 64 percent will be seniors. The needs for long term care will only increase.

“The millions of Floridians’ affected by decisions the 2011 Legislature will make will require long term care and services at some point in their lives,” stated Emmett Reed, Executive Director of FHCA, the state’s first and largest advocacy organization for long term care providers and the frail elders they serve. “It is critical that stable funding for nursing home care remains in place. As Florida’s Baby Boomer population continues to age, the potential for increased job growth – a priority of Florida’s Governor – is huge; however, adequate Medicaid funding is needed to continue the steady improvements that have been made in nursing home care and to meet the demand for quality long term care services in the future.”

Throughout its week-long State of Long Term Care series, FHCA will highlight trends in several areas of long term care, beginning March 2 with The State of Aging and Long Term Care, and continuing with:

• The State of Quality - (March 3)
• The State of Long Term Care's Workforce/Economic Impact - (March 4)
• The State of Reimbursement - (March 7)

Read the Fact Sheets
Read the Press Releases

For more information, follow the series at:
• www.fhca.org
• www.facebook.com/FloridaHealthCareAssociation
• www.twitter.com/FHCA
• www.fhcacapitolconnection.blogspot.com

ABOUT THE FLORIDA HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION
The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) is a federation which serves nearly 1,000 members and represents over 500 long term care facilities that provide skilled nursing, post-acute and sub-acute care, short-term rehab, assisted living and other services to the frail elderly and individuals with disabilities in Florida. The mission of FHCA is to advance the quality of services, image, professional development and financial stability of its members. As Florida's first and largest advocacy organization for long term care providers and the elderly they serve, the Association has worked diligently since 1954 to assist its members with continuously improving quality of care and quality of life for the state’s growing elder care population.